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Psychological Support for the Breast Cancer Patient

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Abstract

Breast cancer treatment challenges a woman’s ability to cope and this chapter discusses psychological assessment of women confronting breast cancer. We review common triggers for anxiety and the effect of antiestrogen treatment on mood. Cancer-focused psychosocial interventions do reduce distress for these patients, but the specific benefit of diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder is supported by controlled studies in oncology settings. Both antidepressants and psychotherapeutic treatments are optimal treatment more specifically for major depressive disorder. The diagnosis of major depressive disorder must be evaluated with an understanding of other causes of insomnia, fatigue, and cognitive complaints in breast cancer patients. Patients with psychotic illness require interdisciplinary planning for care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, MGH Cancer Center, WRN 605, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Donna B. Greenberg

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  1. Donna B. Greenberg
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Correspondence to Donna B. Greenberg .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA

    Ismail Jatoi

  2. Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany

    Achim Rody

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Greenberg, D.B. (2016). Psychological Support for the Breast Cancer Patient. In: Jatoi, I., Rody, A. (eds) Management of Breast Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46356-8_30

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